The Effectiveness of an Organic Compound Vs. an Inorganic Compound in Sunscreen


Margaret and Allison


Abstract:

THE EFFICIENCY OF AN ORGANIC SUNSCREEN VS. INORGANIC SUNSCREEN. Margaret. Allison.
The purpose of this lab is to test whether an organic or inorganic compound is more effective at blocking/absorbing UV-A Rays.
Sets of zinc oxide and oxybenzone sunscreen were created and tested in this lab, since zinc oxide, an inorganic compound, reflects UV-A rays and oxybenzone, an organic compound, absorbs them. The sunscreen batches were developed at 1%, 25%, and 40% active ingredient concentration. Highlighter fluid and a spectrometer were used to test how effective they were. 40% zinc oxide was found to be the most effective at blocking UV-A Rays. Due to experimental error though, oxybenzone was found to be ineffective at absorbing UV-A rays. 
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Figure 1: Oxybenzone being measured first







Journal Article:
http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.elm4you.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f88513c3-aa65-4de8-9f7b-9e4406878c8c%40sessionmgr111&vid=6&hid=119

Wise, A, Schank, P, Stanford, T, & Horsma, G. (2009). The science
behind nanosun-screens.Science Teacher, 76(6), Retrieved from
http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.elm4you.org/ehost/detail?sid=f88513c3-aa65-4de8-9f7b-9e4406878c8c%40sessionmgr111&vid=5&hid=119&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=sch&AN=44128801

This article had good information on the nanoparticles in sunscreen. It also had data from an experiment done that was similar to the experiment done in our lab, which was a good reference.








http://www.skincancer.org/understanding-uva-and-uvb.html

Uv information. (2011). Skin Cancer Foundation, Retrieved from
http://www.skincancer.org/understanding-uva-and-uvb.html